Memorial Day Holiday:

Most Town offices will be closed Monday, May 27. Residential trash will not be collected (make up day Wednesday, May 29). Chapel Hill Transit will not operate. Chapel Hill Public Library will be open 1-5 p.m. More Information

Chapel Hill eNews

Mayors Save Water Challenge

Chapel Hill & Carrboro: Take the Pledge to Save Water! Crown your town the water winner!

On Friday, March 22, (World Water Day), Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger challenged Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle in a friendly and fun community competition to encourage everyone to SAVE WATER!

World Water Day is an annual UN observance day that highlights the importance of freshwater. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. World Water Day is celebrated around the world with a variety of events.

In accepting the challenge, Carrboro and Chapel Hill have decided to have a bit of fun throughout the month of April as we focus attention on the importance of our most valuable natural resource.

Beginning April 1, local residents, business owners and students are asked to visit the OWASA website to take a PLEDGE to save or protect water in one or more simple ways. Water saving ideas include ways to “Save Water Inside” such as taking shorter showers or fixing leaky faucets. Pledges can also be made to “Save Water Outside” and to “Protect Water”.

We will track the number of pledges versus the number of people that live and work in each Town. The town that collects the largest percentage of pledges through April 30 will win.

The winning community – Chapel Hill or Carrboro -- will be announced on Friday, May 3, at the end of the campaign when the winning mayor will receive the Golden Faucet award trophy along with bragging rights for the year!

OWASA (Orange Water and Sewer Authority) customers are invited to track their water use and identify leaks via the Agua Vista portal at www.owasa.org. Plus, get tips on how to conserve water and set up alerts for leaks and bill forecasts – savings for the planet and your pocketbook.

Agua Vista means “water in sight.” When we see how much water we use and save, the more we can sustain this vital resource together.

Friendly and Fun Competition between Carrboro and Chapel Hill

“Everyone has a role to play in conserving, protecting and sustaining our vital resources,” said Mayor Hemminger who went on to point out that, oftentimes, saving water decreases energy usage as well. “We invite everyone – students, residents and businesses – to join in this communitywide challenge to save and protect water.”

“We love competition in this community, especially this time of year,” said Mayor Lydia Lavelle. “I think a friendly challenge between our towns to conserve, protect and sustain our water resources is a great way to highlight this important environmental effort."

OWASA’s Sustainability Manager Mary Tiger, who will be acting as the judge for this year’s event, has been working closely with both mayor’s offices to set up the competition.

“Making progress is a community-wide effort” says Tiger. “We encourage everyone to join in the fun by sharing the ways you are saving and protecting water through social media using #SaveWater or #UseWaterWisely tags with notice to @ChapelHillGov, @CarrboroTownGov or @OWASA1. Great ideas are worth sharing!”